A combined research agenda towards integrated conservation and development for Madagascar

Abstract

Better integration of social and natural science activities seems to be the key to improve the efficiency of conservation and development. While there is no recipe for success, this paper argues that conservation has to pay for itself if it wants to be anchored in present-day-societies. In systems where humans depend largely on subsistence activities, economic benefits from conservation must outweigh the benefits from increasing these activities. Coming from a natural science perspective, this paper proposes some activities that could improve the basis for decision-making and contribute to the long-term integration of sustainable conservation and development. It is argued that experiences from various projects must be evaluated and be accessible; data should be stored in a central database that can be used to develop future programs; restoration of various sorts providing direct income for the local human populations (including gardens, native and exotic tree plantations with valu- able species) should be a priority; and natural science projects should add analyses of processes to the present preponder- ance of describing patterns. All these activities should result in integrated action to maintain natural biodiversity as a key component to maintain and improve local livelihoods.